Aggie hastened toward the window. Attributing Zoie's uneasiness to a caprice of modesty, Alfred turned from the cradle to reassure her. “No one can see in way up here,” he said. To Zoie's distress, the lowering of the shade was answered by a yet shriller whistle from the street below. “Was it 'up' or 'down'?” cried Zoie to Aggie in an agony of doubt, as she tried to recall her instructions to Jimmy. “I don't know,” answered Aggie. “I've forgotten.” Another impatient whistle did not improve their memory. Alarmed by Zoie's increasing excitement, and thinking she was troubled merely by a sick woman's fancy that someone might see through the window, Alfred placed the babe quickly in its cradle and crossed to the young wife's bed. “It was up, dear,” he said. “You had Aggie put it down.” “Then I want it up,” declared the seemingly perverse Zoie. “But it was up,” argued Alfred. A succession of emotional whistles set Zoie to pounding the pillows. “Put it down!” she commanded. “But Zoie----” protested Alfred. “Did I say 'up' or did I say 'down'?” moaned the half-demented Zoie, while long whistles and short whistles, appealing whistles and impatient whistles followed each other in quick succession. “You said down, dear,” persisted Alfred, now almost as distracted as his wife. Zoie waved him from the room. “I wish you'd get out of here,” she cried; “you make me so nervous that I can't think at all.” “Of course, dear,” murmured Alfred, “if you wish it.” And with a hurt and perplexed expression on his face he backed quickly from the room. CHAPTER XXI When Zoie's letter asking for the O'Flarety twin had reached that young lady's astonished mother, Mrs. O'Flarety felt herself suddenly lifted to a position of importance. “Think of the purty Mrs. Hardy a wantin' my little Bridget,” she exclaimed, and she began to dwell upon the romantic possibilities of her offspring's future under the care of such a “foine stylish lady and concluded by declaring it 'a lucky day entoirely.'” Jimmy had his misgivings about it being Bridget's “LUCKY day,” but it was not for him to delay matters by dwelling upon the eccentricities of Zoie's character, and when Mrs. O'Flarety had deposited Bridget in Jimmy's short arms and slipped a well filled nursing bottle into his overcoat pocket, he took his leave hastily, lest the excited woman add Bridget's twin to her willing offering. Once out of sight of the elated mother, Jimmy thrust the defenceless Bridget within the folds of his already snug ulster, buttoned the garment in such places as it would meet, and made for the taxi which, owing to the upset condition of the street, he had been obliged to abandon at the corner.